Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has backed under-fire goalkeeper Andre Onana, asserting that the Cameroonian is among the Premier League’s best shot-stoppers.
Onana has faced scrutiny since joining United for £47 million this summer to replace David de Gea. While his form had seemingly improved in recent weeks, his two errors in Wednesday’s 3-3 draw against Galatasaray marked a clear setback.
Onana also made a mistake for a goal in United’s Champions League defeat against Bayern Munich. However, Ten Hag countered that Onana ranks second in saves made, save percentage, and goals prevented in the Premier League, according to statistics.
The best goalkeepers in the Premier League this season based on our current Squawka Score:
◎ 67% – Alisson Becker
◎ 65% – David Raya
◎ 62% – Ederson
◎ 60% – Guglielmo Vicario
◉ 60% – André Onana
◎ 59% – Emi MartínezTen Hag is right about Goals Prevented though. 😉 pic.twitter.com/RO8nzcmwyi
— Squawka (@Squawka) December 1, 2023
“If you analyze it well, you see he is the second-best goalkeeper in the Premier League based on stats,” Ten Hag said. “His expected defending goals is the second-best in the Premier League. He’s doing well. Also, he knows that in the Champions League, he makes some mistakes, but all over you see that in the first five months, he is doing particularly well.”
Onana will face another crucial test on Saturday evening when United travel to Newcastle, who are on a five-game winning streak at St James’ Park.
Ten Hag, however, does not anticipate Onana being affected by Wednesday night’s performance.
“You have seen how he is reacting to a bad performance like in Munich,” Ten Hag said. “At Burnley (three days later), he was outstanding. He is a strong character; he is a personality, and he will deal with it.”